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Cotton and Okra. Kissing Cousins.

July 16, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 12 Comments

Did you know cotton and okra are cousins? The plants are botanically related from the same scientific family Malvaceae.

The veined leaf shapes are very similar with a reddish purple spot at the base of each petal.

okra and cotton = cousins!

The blooms are similar too.

okra and cotton blooms

The final product!

okra and cotton - related plants!

One fills our bellies, the other covers our bellies. I love both!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Alabama – Song of the South

Roasted Okra with Mint and Black-Eyed Peas

July 8, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 15 Comments

Roasted Okra with Mint - perfect summer dish!

I’m here to set the record straight. Okra doesn’t have to be slimy. Nor must it be deep fried. I know, I know, that sounds impossible, doesn’t it? I love fried okra, sometimes crave it even, but I rarely fry anything at home. Simple, roasted okra is delicious.

This is my favorite okra recipe, my “go-to” potluck, supper on the ground, picnic dish. I’m confident you will agree this is the perfect summer grilling menu side dish. Plus the recipe includes black-eyed peas. Think of all the extra luck you’ll have. Last week after I made this dish for a neighborhood get together, I won a pair of boots! No kidding, here’s a picture of my new boots.

Old Gringo Boots - Flair & Company

Old Gringo Boots – Flair and Company

 

Now back to the recipe.

I found this recipe via a Central Market cooking class several years ago. With inexpensive veggies easily obtained at your local grocery store (or from your own garden), there’s no reason not to give this a try. Add blackened shrimp on top. Mix in a scoop of rice. This recipe is easily adaptable.

Roasted Okra with Mint and Black-Eyed Peas

Print
Roasted Okra & Peas with Mint

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh (or frozen) black-eyed peas
  • 1 pound fresh okra, trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
  • 1/2 pound green beans, trimmed and cut into one inch pieces
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. If using fresh peas, blanch 2 minutes in boiling salted water. Remove with a slotted spoon and plunge into an ice bath to cool. Drain and dry. If using frozen, let them thaw in a colander and dry.
  2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  3. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss to mix well. Spread onto an oiled jelly-roll pan and roast 8 minutes. Turn veggies with a spatula and roast another 6 minutes. Serve hot.
3.1
https://gracegritsgarden.com/2014/07/roasted-okra-peas-mint.html

You can substitute black-eyed peas with crowder peas, field peas, butter beans, or lima beans. I used small purple onions from my garden, as well as a combination of Roma and cherry tomatoes. The one thing you must NOT omit is the mint. Mint is the key to this dish.

Roasted Okra with Mint and Black Eyed Peas

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Musical Pairing:

Summertime – Norah Jones

 

Spicy Baked Okra

April 2, 2014 By Talya Tate Boerner 16 Comments

spicy baked okraI was raised on fried okra (and fried potatoes and fried eggplant), but I rarely fry anything these days. Sad, I know. I have my reasons and I’m sure you can figure them out. Even without the deep fried part of the equation, okra is delicious prepared lots of other ways—roasted, pickled, grilled, etc.

Last week I baked a more slender version of fried. Crunchy. Spicy. Satisfying. This dish serves as a soulful side or southern appetizer dipped in barbecue sauce or homemade ranch dressing.

And did you know okra comes from the mallow plant family—same as cotton? No wonder I love it so.

Print
Spicy Baked Okra

Ingredients

  • 2 cups okra cut into one-inch pieces
  • 1/2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 1-2 Tablespoons corn meal
  • Cayenne to taste
  • Sea Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste
  • Parmesan Reggiano (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400.
  2. Place okra in a medium bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Stir.
  3. In a separate small bowl, mix together corn meal, cayenne, black pepper and salt. Sprinkle corn meal over okra and toss.
  4. Spread on cookie sheet at roast until brown and crispy, stirring once, approximately 15 minutes. (oven times vary)
  5. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan Reggiano if desired.
3.1
https://gracegritsgarden.com/2014/04/spicy-baked-okra.html

spicy baked okra

 

Grace Grits and Gardening

P.S. Of course okra has health benefits galore.

okra


Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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